Peter T. Daniels scripsit:

> > I was trying to probe whether these labels (alphabet, abjad, etc.) refer
> > to scripts or orthographies.
>
> Do explain how such a distinction would work (and how it applies to
> Yiddish). Be sure to include definitions of those two terms as well as
> of "writing system."

I adopt the definitions at http://www.unicode.org/glossary/, treating
"orthography" as a synonym for "writing system".

Yiddish has a single standard orthography which employs the Hebrew script.

That said, there does seem to be a connection between, umm, whatever the
cover term is for alphabet/abjad/abugida/syllabary/morphosyllabary on the
one hand, and script on the other. For example, writing systems using the
Latin script seem to be invariably alphabetic, and I think it is fair to
say that the Latin script is alphabetic too. With the Hebrew script,
matters are much fuzzier, with MT Hebrew at the pure-abjad end, and Yiddish
at the alphabetic end.

--
John Cowan <jcowan@...>
http://www.ccil.org/~cowan http://www.reutershealth.com
Unified Gaelic in Cyrillic script!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Celticonlang